I got a note from FedEx that they had picked them up and should be here tomorrow.

I am amazed at the few pictures of these type barrels I have seen. The regullar Damascus all are very recognizable except except for the quality and grade of the steel. These seem to vary a lot. I can see the snakeskin comment, but my first reaction was of chain Damascus that didn't come out correct. They strike ne as looking at a series of broken chain link patterns. I'll see what the impression is in real time.